SPACE 2013: beat all records

The 27th SPACE held from 10 to 13 September 2013 in Rennes beat all attendance records for the number of visitors, in particular foreign visitors, number of exhibitors, size of the exhibition area and number of new products presented.

There were 114,591 visitors (6% more than in 2012, beating the 2003 record) including 12,298 foreign visitors (+12%) from 110 countries. This increase in the number of visitors and the large area covered by stands (67,000 m² net exhibition area) helped to promote ideal conditions for trade and business discussions.

There were a large number of visitors from Asia (China, Vietnam, etc) and West Africa, which met the expectations of exhibitors for whom exports are the key to increasing sales and long-term stability.

There was an official visit by the Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, accompanied by Stéphane le Foll and Guillaume Garot. The approximately 50 conferences and forums (a third of which dealt with subjects of international import) were well attended.

Innovation was also a feature with 63 Innov’SPACE awards, 5 of which received a special prize. The Research and Development Village featured pig and poultry buildings of the future. Farmers were able to find the latest solutions in ergonomics, information technologies, energy management and environmental management.

More than 400 farmers presented 12 different breeds of animal. The Open Space, organised for the first time by the Evolution group as part of the animal classes, demonstrated the progress made in genomics for genetic selection. Auction prices reached high levels (€8,400, a record for the Prim’Holstein breed) and several animals were sold to foreign buyers.

However, this year’s show was overshadowed by the absence of its President, Jean-Michel Lemetayer, who died suddenly this summer. The tributes paid to him enabled everyone – family, friends, the organising team, VIPs, exhibitors, farmers and visitors – to honour his memory and confirm their determination to continue to expand this show as he would have wished.